I was born in 1960 to a Navy family, graduated from high school here in Shenandoah County, attended William & Mary, the University of Richmond, and the U.S. Naval War College. Before hanging my shingle in Woodstock, I worked on the staffs of the Secretary of the Navy and the Governor of Virginia. I retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2005 as a Lieutenant Colonel. I have son born in 1999 and live at Bryce Resort.

I approach the practice of law with a focus on helping my clients understand an often complicated legal system. Working collaboratively allows me to anticipate my clients' needs, while also aiding my clients by providing them an informed view of all the potential dangers and rewards of each unique case. My primary practice areas are Divorce, Child Custody, Trusts & Wills and Bankruptcy. However, I also provide legal support for small businesses looking to incorporate, resolve disputes with employees or review potential contracts and business transactions.

Jonathan McHugh is a senior associate attorney in the Leesburg office of Livesay & Myers, P.C. He represents clients in separation, divorce, custody, visitation and support cases throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

Melannie Dino is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. An attorney since 2001, Ms. Dino has litigated every type of family law case in the courts of Northern Virginia, including contested divorce, custody, support, and high value equitable distribution cases. Ms. Dino works in the firm’s offices in Manassas and Leesburg, and represents clients all across Northern Virginia.

Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Ms. Dino earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications in 1996 from nearby Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She proceeded to earn her J.D. from Widener University Law School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in...

Anne Prentice is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Ms. Prentice works in the firm’s Leesburg office, and represents clients in Leesburg, Loudoun County and all across Northern Virginia. An attorney since 2003, Ms. Prentice has practiced family law since 2007. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Prentice is a graduate of George Mason University School of Law and a cum laude graduate of Shenandoah University. She is also a graduate of the National Trial Advocacy...

Amanda Stone Swart is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Stone Swart works in the firm’s offices in Leesburg and Fairfax, and represents clients in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Stone Swart is originally from Boone, Iowa. She graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 2004, with Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in both Political Science and Journalism. Upon graduation, Ms. Stone Swart...

The only thing that Mr. DelGado loves more than practicing law is providing superior client satisfaction. Mr. DelGado is more than a lawyer. He is a counselor, he is a supporter, he is a friend. He is fully conscious of the stress, nervousness and anxiousness that individuals feel because of their legal problems.This is why he goes above and beyond to make all of his clients feel at ease. Mr. DelGado recognizes that every client is different and has unique legal needs. Thus, he does not use a one-size-fits-all approach but rather an individualized approach specifically tailored to his clients'...

Ryan M. Schmalzle is a principal and founder of the firm. His practice focuses on family law, civil litigation, and criminal law. Ryan regularly practices in several jurisdictions in Northern Virginia including Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Clarke County, Frederick County and the City of Winchester. He also practices in the Maryland Courts, including Frederick County and Montgomery County. Ryan is an adjunct professor of law at George Mason University School of Law where he teaches appellate writing. Ryan also serves as a Special Justice in Loudoun County and he presides over civil commitment hearings. Although Ryan’s primary love...

Joseph H. Beale has been providing exceptional legal services for individuals and families in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia for more than twenty years. Every client is important and with you he will develop a client centered strategy that fits your unique circumstances in order to meet your goals and achieve the best possible outcome for you in a cost effective, ethical and efficient manner. He believes in building strong and lasting relationships with clients based on trust, open communication and delivering results. He has a solid reputation as a skilled litigator and negotiator, earning a perfect 10...

Douglas J. Sanderson provides legal services in the multiple areas of commercial real estate, family law/domestic relations, and business organizations and transactions. In his family law/domestic relations practice, Doug counsels and represents people who seek legal assistance with, for example, separation agreements, divorces, and issues of child custody and visitation, equitable distribution, and support (spousal and child, as may apply), as well as, on a happier note, pre-nuptial agreements. Doug’s practice includes litigation as well as other methods of problem-solving, and he strives to assist clients in finding resolutions that avoid or minimize litigation, and to further that...

Ms. Jenkins has been practicing law in Virginia since 2008 when she was admitted to the Virginia State Bar. She is also admitted in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. She is experienced in various practice areas such as family law, construction law, landlord/tenant actions, estate administration, debt collection, and bankruptcy. She has appeared in Virginia juvenile and domestic relations district court, general district court, circuit court, and the Virginia Supreme Court.

I graduated from Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. in 2001. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology at Arizona State University in 1991. I was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 2001. Since then, I have been practicing law in Virginia with an emphasis on family law matters, including divorce, custody & visitation, child and spousal support, and domestic violence.

Michael Miller is a partner at Cole Miller PLLC, located in Vienna, Virginia. Providing representation to clients in the northern part of the state, in particular the area adjacent to the District of Columbia, he focuses his practice entirely on family law matters, including divorce and such related issues as property division, child custody and visitation, alimony and child support. Mr. Miller also has experience with the preparation of wills and other estate planning documents.

Mr. Miller is especially well-positioned to represent armed forces personnel who are going through a divorce after serving for seven years as a judge advocate in...

Attorney Ben Carafiol practices exclusively Family Law at Livesay & Myers, P.C. He works out of the firm's office in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and represents clients in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and surrounding areas.
As one of the leading military divorce lawyers in the firm, Mr. Carafiol is intimately familiar with issues of military retirement, the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act, the Survivor Benefit Plan, disability pay, and the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act. He has written extensively on these topics for the Livesay & Myers Blog.
Benjamin Carafiol resides with his wife and daughter in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

James Livesay is the lead family law attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., advising the custody and divorce lawyers in each of the firm's four offices. After graduating from the prestigious University of Virginia School of Law in 1998, Mr. Livesay served in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps from 1998-2001, where he received the Award for Trial Advocacy from The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Committee on Military Affairs and Justice, in 1998. He went on to receive Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals in 2000 and 2001 (Gold Star in Lieu of Second...

Matthew Smith is a junior partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. He is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Mr. Smith works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia. An attorney since 2005, Mr. Smith has litigated every type of family law case in the courts of Northern Virginia, including high value equitable distribution cases, custody, support, and military divorce cases. He is the attorney in the firm most experienced in navigating the...

Brianna Salerno is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Salerno works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Salerno graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University before graduating in the top third of her class at George Mason University School of Law. An attorney since 2010, Ms. Salerno is admitted to practice law in...

As your lawyer, your case gets my best effort from up-front intake through analysis and investigation. If you want to take your matter to trial, I will represent you before the judge or jury. My experience as a former computer applications developer can be useful in the evaluation of any electronic evidence in your case, such as information stored on smartphones, hard drives or disks, or the cloud.

As a native of Northern Virginia, I have here focused my practice on providing sound and balanced representation to clients navigating the difficult legal waters of family law, including contested divorce, custody, support, and equitable distribution. My persuasive style has been well received in courtrooms throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, and is sustained and continually nuanced by a body of experience sufficient to deliver sophisticated results for my clients. In 2015, for example, through negotiation or litigation, my firm handled the equitable distribution of more than half a billion dollars in assets. Business owners,...

Divorce Lawyers in Nearby Counties

If a person wishes to terminate his or her marriage, he or she may file for a divorce. In a divorce proceeding, the court will terminate the marriage and determine the rights and responsibilities of the divorcing parties regarding child custody, child visitation, child support and spousal support (alimony). The court will also redistribute marital assets.

Depending on where you reside and where your assets are, the division of property can be a very simple or very complex process. Disputes often arise during this phase of a divorce if the two parties disagree as to who should receive which assets or property.

Finding a divorce lawyer who is experienced and reliable can reduce your stress and help you make the best choices possible. A good divorce lawyer should be a problem solver who is skilled at negotiation and possesses a solid trial background. If both parties are open to alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration or mediation, finding a lawyer experienced in collaborative divorce or divorce mediation would be beneficial.

Divorce lawyers also handle child custody issues, including multi-state and international child custody situations. Some divorce lawyers may be certified by their states as being family law specialists. Certification often requires that a lawyer meet certain experience and educational criteria.

Legal Custody:
A parent with legal custody has the right to decide on the child's upbringing, education, and medical care. A court may grant legal custody to one parent (sole legal custody) or both parents (joint legal custody).

Separate Property:
Property acquired before marriage or during the marriage as a gift or inheritance, or bought during marriage with separate property.